Singapore’s Tech.Pass is an MOM-administered work pass programme designed to attract established tech leaders, founders, and senior technical experts to anchor in Singapore. Unlike the Employment Pass — which requires a sponsoring employer — Tech.Pass holders can found new companies, take on multiple roles, and lecture, all from a single pass. It is positioned as Singapore’s response to the global competition for elite tech talent.
This 2026 guide explains the three eligibility criteria, who Tech.Pass is for (and who it is not), the application process, the renewal milestones, and how it interacts with other Singapore work pass and PR pathways.
The Tech.Pass Concept
Tech.Pass was launched in January 2021 by the Economic Development Board (EDB), in partnership with the Ministry of Manpower (MOM). It is an open-ended work pass — not tied to an employer — and lets the holder simultaneously be a founder, employee, advisor, board director, and lecturer, all from a single pass. It is intended for individuals who could anchor a tech ecosystem in Singapore, not for entry-level engineers.
Eligibility is competitive. Unlike the Employment Pass, Tech.Pass has no published quota, but the published criteria are deliberately set high to filter for senior tech talent.
Eligibility: Meeting Two of Three Criteria
To qualify, applicants must meet at least two of three criteria:
Criterion 1: Last drawn fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500
The salary must be from a job held in the year preceding the application. The figure is monthly fixed remuneration — base salary only, excluding bonuses, equity vesting, allowances, or sign-on payments. Annualised, this is S$270,000 in fixed pay. The applicant must be able to support the figure with payslips, employment contracts, and tax filings.
Criterion 2: At least five years of experience in a leading role at a tech company
The company must:
- Have a valuation or market capitalisation of at least US$500 million; or
- Have raised at least US$30 million in funding;
- And be in a tech sector aligned with Singapore’s priorities (AI, fintech, biotech, cybersecurity, digital media, etc.).
“Leading role” means C-suite, head of product, head of engineering, or equivalent — not an individual contributor role, however senior. Five years is the minimum; in practice, longer track records strengthen applications.
Criterion 3: At least five years of experience in leading the development of a tech product
The product must:
- Have at least 100,000 monthly active users; or
- Have generated at least US$100 million in revenue.
This route is open to product leaders who can demonstrate user-scale or revenue-scale outcomes. Applicants typically include CTOs, VPs of Product, or founders whose products meet the bar.
Who Tech.Pass Is For
Tech.Pass is suited to:
- Founders and senior leaders of global tech companies relocating to Singapore;
- Serial entrepreneurs starting their next Singapore venture;
- Senior product leaders being recruited to anchor regional teams;
- Technical advisors and angels who want to be active in the local ecosystem; and
- Tech executives who want to lecture, sit on boards, and run multiple companies.
It is not a substitute for an Employment Pass for engineers or middle managers. It is also not a “start a Singapore company without commitment” pass — Tech.Pass holders are expected to contribute to the local ecosystem.
What Tech.Pass Holders Can Do
Once granted, a Tech.Pass holder may:
- Found and run one or more Singapore companies;
- Be employed by a Singapore company (one or several) without the employer needing to sponsor an EP;
- Be a non-executive director on Singapore company boards;
- Be an investor in Singapore companies;
- Lecture at Singapore tertiary institutions; and
- Mentor at start-up incubators and accelerators.
Family members can apply for a Dependant’s Pass (spouse and children under 21) and Long-Term Visit Pass (parents).
Application Process
Applications are submitted directly to the Economic Development Board (EDB), which administers the pass on behalf of MOM. The process:
| Step | What happens | Typical timeline |
|---|---|---|
| 1. Online application | Submit application via EDB Tech.Pass portal with supporting documents | 1 day |
| 2. EDB review | EDB assesses eligibility and conducts interview if needed | 4–8 weeks |
| 3. In-principle approval (IPA) | EDB issues IPA if successful, valid for 6 months | — |
| 4. Pass issuance | Pass collected from MOM upon arrival in Singapore | 1–2 weeks after arrival |
Documents required
- Passport bio-data page;
- Recent passport-size photo;
- Curriculum Vitae (detailed, with verifiable references);
- Latest payslip or employment contract showing fixed monthly salary;
- For Criterion 2: company website, funding announcements, public valuation references;
- For Criterion 3: product metrics, user data, or revenue substantiation;
- Educational certificates; and
- Recent tax filings or equivalent income certifications.
Validity and Renewal
The initial Tech.Pass is granted for two years. Renewal is possible for a further two years, subject to satisfying ongoing contribution requirements. These include:
- Earning a fixed monthly salary of at least S$22,500 from Singapore-based activities (averaged across the validity period);
- OR investing at least S$100,000 in a Singapore-based business and meeting two of the following: (i) hiring locals, (ii) generating annual business spending in Singapore, (iii) holding directorships in Singapore companies, (iv) mentoring at accredited Singapore organisations.
The renewal is a meaningful re-test: pass-holders who have not anchored to Singapore in a substantive way will not get a second term.
Tech.Pass vs ONE Pass vs Employment Pass
| Feature | Tech.Pass | ONE Pass | Employment Pass |
|---|---|---|---|
| Salary threshold | S$22,500/mth (or 2-of-3 alternative) | S$30,000/mth | S$5,600/mth (S$6,200 financial services); COMPASS points required |
| Tied to employer? | No | No | Yes |
| Can found multiple companies? | Yes | Yes | No |
| Sector restriction | Tech sectors | Any sector | Any sector (subject to COMPASS) |
| Initial duration | 2 years | 5 years | 1–2 years |
| Administered by | EDB | MOM | MOM |
For an in-depth comparison, see our guide to the COMPASS points calculator for EP applications.
Tech.Pass and PR Pathway
Tech.Pass holders are eligible to apply for Singapore Permanent Residence after at least six months on the pass. Tech.Pass status alone is not a guarantee of PR — the PR application still goes through the normal ICA assessment — but the profile of a Tech.Pass holder (high income, established track record, intention to contribute) typically aligns well with the criteria PR assessors look for.
High net-worth individuals exploring relocation should also see our guide to all pathways to move to Singapore.
Common Rejection Reasons
- Salary substantiation: payslips that include variable bonus or equity vesting do not meet the “fixed monthly salary” requirement;
- Valuation substantiation: claims of being at a “unicorn” company without verifiable funding rounds at the required levels;
- Sector misalignment: roles in companies that are not core tech (e.g. traditional financial services) are scrutinised;
- Track record gaps: less than five years in a leading role; and
- Unclear contribution plan: EDB likes to see a concrete plan for what the applicant will do in Singapore — multiple board seats, a venture being founded, or active mentorship.
Setting Up a Singapore Company Alongside
Most Tech.Pass holders set up at least one Singapore Pte Ltd to anchor their business activities. The setup process is straightforward — see our guides on foreign subsidiaries and branch vs subsidiary. A Tech.Pass holder can be the sole director of a Singapore Pte Ltd, removing the need for a separate nominee director.
Final Thoughts
Tech.Pass is a meaningfully different work pass — purpose-built for senior tech talent who can contribute beyond a single employer. The bar is high, but for those who clear it, the flexibility is unmatched among Singapore work passes.
If you are evaluating Tech.Pass, ONE Pass, or EP for relocation to Singapore, Raffles Corporate Services can map your profile to the right pass, set up the Singapore corporate vehicle, and coordinate the application end to end.
— The Editorial Team, Raffles Corporate Services